[Eoscstudents] EOSC Campuses Receive “All Clear” After Bomb Threat

[EOSC News]

Eastern Oklahoma State College has been given the “all clear” from local
and statewide authorities after a bomb threat was received earlier today.
Students and employees were evacuated at the Wilburton and McAlester
campuses and classes were canceled as a safety precaution.



Eastern’s Campus Police coordinated with multiple agencies to perform a
complete sweep of the Wilburton and McAlester campuses and no explosive
devices were found. Eastern President Dr. Janet Wansick thanked law
enforcement officials and the local businesses and community organizations
that assisted with the situation.



“After the threat was received, our campus employees immediately responded
and put our emergency protocols in action. We have practiced drills for
situations like this and I am pleased with the quick response from
students, faculty and staff to evacuate in a safe manner. The most
important thing is everyone is safe,” Wansick said. “I am extremely
appreciative of the assistance we received today from local and state law
enforcement agencies, as well as local businesses and community
organizations that offered to shelter and feed our students and employees
who were displaced.”



Wansick said the threat was delivered in the form of an email that was not
immediately traceable. The communication contained a bomb threat as well as
a threat of additional violence. Although there was no specific location
identified, Wansick said the decision was made to evacuate the Wilburton
and McAlester campuses in an abundance of caution.



Multiple agencies responded to assist with the situation, including EOSC
Campus Police, Wilburton Police Department, Wilburton Volunteer Fire
Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Bureau of
Investigation, Latimer County Sherriff’s Department, Latimer County
Emergency Management, Choctaw Nation Tribal Police, A-OK Railroad Police,
and the McAlester Police Department.



Wansick said the Choctaw Nation Community Center and Wilburton First United
Methodist Church for sheltering students during the evacuation. The
Community State Bank also provided meals, snacks and water for students,
staff and law enforcement officials.


Students may now return to their residence halls. Campus buildings are
locked due to personal items that were left behind during evacuation.
Students or employees who need to retrieve personal items from a classroom
or other building this evening should call Campus Police at 918-465-1718.


All campuses will return to normal operations on Tuesday, March 2.
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